Bert Gallery

Beginning at the end of June and through the end of August, Carmel Vitullo’s Block Island photographs will be on view at the Block Island Historical Society. Opening reception is on Friday, June 19th from 6-9pm. View people and places, as seen through the lens of this contemporary photographer, who visited the island in the 1950s and 60s. The Block Island Historical Society is located at 1872 Old Town Road and open daily from 10am-4pm, or by appointment. Please call 466-2481 for more information.

Carmel Vitullo, a native of Rhode Island, attended the Rhode Island School of Design and the New York Institute of Photography in the late 1940s. In 1955, Edward Stiechen selected two of Vitullo’s photos for the Family of Man exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art. This significant career event encouraged the young Vitullo, who had left the RISD painting department to seek out a career in photography. After several years in New York, Vitullo returned to Rhode Island in the late 1950s to photograph her native state and its people with skill and sensitivity.

Vitullo also retreated to those favorite Rhode Island retreats of Little Compton, Tiverton and Block Island to capture the state’s rural enclaves. Curious to develop new subject matter, Vitullo attended the Newport Jazz Festival and photographed young jazz entertainers, such as Louis Armstrong on the trumpet and Joe Jones on the drums. Today these works are important historical documentation of people and events in Rhode Island. Vitullo found solace among other artists in Providence in her South Water Street studio in the 1960s. While documenting daily life, she remained emotionally distant, letting the subjects and events take center stage. In additional to the Museum of Modern Art, Vitullo is in the Rhode Island School of Design Museum’s collection.

The popular Bert Gallery Attic Sale is on exhibit at the Fall River Historical Society for their popular Victorian Christmas celebration in the beautiful historic home on Rock Street. In addition to Bert Gallery’s online items, the inventory has been expanded to include additional watercolors, drawings and sketches by estate artists. The Bert Gallery Attic sale donates a percentage of the sale to the Fall River Historical Society to benefit their programs. Enjoy a visit to see the Victorian Christmas decorations at the Society as well as shop for estate and end of the year discounts on original works of art.

The Fall River Historical Society celebrates the holiday season beginning the Saturday before Thanksgiving through December 30, the museum and shop are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Society is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas, and will close at 12:00 noon on Christmas Eve.

About the Fall River Historical Society
Founded in 1921, the Fall River Historical Society’s mission is to preserve and protect all manner of artifacts relating to the rich and varied history of the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. The Historical Society is housed in a granite mansion, built in 1843 in the Greek Revival style for Andrew Robeson, Jr., a prominent businessman. A one-time station on the Underground Railroad, the house was to change hands several times over the next quarter century.

Directions From Providence and Points West:
Take I-195 E through Fall River to Rte. 24 N (Exit 8). Follow Rte. 24 N to Exit 5 (President Ave.) to rotary. Take first turn off rotary (President Ave.). Go through two sets of traffic lights. Proceed down hill with park on right. At the bottom of the park, turn left onto Rock Street. Continue on Rock Street for five blocks to Maple Street. Building will be on the left hand side at the corner. Approximate travel time: 25 minutes.

Don’t miss the Bonnie Buck Trunk Show on December 6th from 1-3pm at Bert Gallery. For the past seven years Bonnie has exhibited her sterling silver jewelry at the Bert Gallery, showing varying nature inspired styles. From pearls to lacy silver necklaces, earrings and pins, Bonnie produces skillfully hand-crafted work. Bonnie’s King William Bee pin with its fluttering wings has become a Bert Gallery classic. Enjoy the celebration with cookies and cider. The jewelry of Bonnie Buck will be on display until December 23rd.

The following is a PDF for download which includes an extensive chronology of Gordon Peers’ education and career as an artist from 1932 to 1985. Please click here to download.

Trunk Show of Bonnie Buck Jewelry
Saturday, December 1 from 1-3 pm

There is a one-day trunk show, Saturday December 1st from 1–3 pm of Bonnie Buck jewelry. Meet the artist and preview the new sterling silver and pearl designed jewelry by contemporary Providence artisan Bonnie Buck. Elegant, affordable and quietly sophisticated, Bonnie’s jewelry makes the perfect addition to your holiday shopping list. Holiday refreshments served.

About Bonnie Buck
Bonnie Buck is an artist of many talents. But as a silversmith she has a special aptitude. In the late 1970’s she relocated to Providence. Originally from Ohio, Buck received a BFA from Ohio State University and went onto Rochester Institute of Technology to study at the School of American Craftsman. The result is a twenty year history as a metal smith traversing the commercial arena and the fine art world.

Artists’ Statement
I enjoy the paradox of creating comfortable accessories out of hard metal by using shapes which compliment the human body, and by the use of fabric techniques in metal. The pieces are hammered, cast or crocheted, and move freely with the body. I am an artist who makes objects that are intended to be worn. The most common compliment is that, “Bonnie Buck’s work feels good on and is meant to function with the lifestyle of the individual who wears it.” I have worked extensively within the fashion and jewelry manufacturing industry making products for reproduction as well as creating special runway items for the NYC fashion market. My work is high fashion jewelry and accessories of original sophisticated style; work which exudes flair and originality. It is art, craft and fashion that has been transformed into wearable ornament.